What’s the Biggest Test Trump Will Face in 2017?

We asked 20 of America’s sharpest political minds to tell us.

Jan. 3, 2017

Media Outlet: Politico

Michael Lind spoke to Politico about what he believes will be Donald Trump's greatest challenge in 2017:

"The challenge that will define the presidency of Donald Trump may be conflict at home, not abroad. The first year of his administration could show whether the billionaire businessman has taken over the Republican Party—or merely the White House.

Trump succeeded in his hostile takeover of the Republican presidential primary process by breaking with establishment GOP orthodoxy on trade, immigration, infrastructure spending and entitlements. But conservative orthodoxy is alive and well in the Republican Congress led by House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. If they reject Trump’s campaign priorities and push a version of the unpopular Bush era agenda of tax cuts for the rich, the repeal of Obamacare without a better replacement, Social Security benefit cuts and voucherization of Medicare, congressional Republicans could alienate many of the populist voters Trump inspired and energize today's demoralized Democrats.

Trump has dethroned the Bush dynasty. Whether he has defeated Bushism remains to be seen."